Treatment of Multiple Scalp Basal Cell Carcinomas by Photodynamic Therapy

In 2001, an 80-year-old woman with multiple superficial basal cell carcinomas on her scalp underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA), resulting in complete clearance of six tumors and partial clearance of two, with no recurrences over a 12-month follow-up. The treatment involved using a 300-W short arc xenon lamp to administer 100 J/cm² to the lesions, and surface protoporphyrin IX fluorescence was used to delineate the tumors before treatment. The patient had minimal side effects and was pleased with the cosmetic results. The study suggested that ALA-PDT should be considered a primary treatment for multiple superficial BCCs on the scalp due to its effectiveness, tissue preservation, low morbidity, and favorable cosmetic outcomes.